I accidentally gave my newborn water! We have all been there, it is the midst of summer, and the sun is glaring. We are told hydration is key, especially on a hot day. But if you are reading this then you already know that giving water to your baby is not advised, read further to find out why and what you should do.
I Accidentally Gave My Newborn Water – Help!
Water fed to a baby younger than 6 months can upset their electrolyte balance causing water intoxication. So if you are wondering what would happen if I accidentally fed my baby water then treatment from a doctor is imperative especially if your baby is showing any symptoms of illness after ingesting water.
Newborns and Water
As you look at your baby you absorb their tiny features and examine their perfect form. It is their size that goes against them if they ingest water before 6 months. I am a parent so I know accidents happen! If you are frantic thinking I accidentally fed my baby water stick with us as we discover exactly what you need to do.
What To Do if A Newborn Drinks Water?
First thing is first, you are human. Whether you thought water would help constipation or just assuming extra hydration would help your baby during a heat wave you need to stop the mom guilt.
Is giving your baby too much water dangerous? Yes but now is not the time to beat yourself up.
I usually like to give you the background to our topics first, but before looking at the reasons behind the symptoms I feel that it’s imperative to give you the symptoms first.
Water intoxication is so dangerous there is no getting away from how important it is to identify these symptoms and get treatment.
Symptoms to Look For
If you notice any of the following symptoms be it immediately or a few days after ingesting water you need to head to the emergency room.
- Vomiting
- Being lethargic or showing signs of dizziness
- Extreme swelling
- Irregularities in breathing
- Seizures or fits
- Irritable or overly fuzzy
- Totally transparent urine
- Low body temperature less than 97°F (36°C)
What Happens if a Newborn Accidentally Drinks Water?
Now we have identified the symptoms. I assume your baby is showing no signs of illness so we can dig into what happens if you give newborns water.
We are continuously told how great water is for our bodies and that keeping hydrated has many positive benefits but giving water to a young child can cause deadly consequences.
Water intoxication is a very rare yet real condition that can happen to any of us. Giving your baby too much water will overload their tiny tummies and make their kidneys struggle to process the excess fluid. In the most severe cases, this leads to hyponatremia.
Your little one’s tummy can only hold up to 10ml at any point when newborn. I know you are looking at your baby bottle and wondering how on earth do they drink so much. Well, their tummies empty fast meaning they need multiple feeds throughout the day and night.
If they ingest water then not only are you filling them up with a nutrient free liquid but it will prevent them from wanting their feed meaning they can lack in calories and those crucial vitamins needed for healthy growth and development.
According to Healthline, it is only recommended that babies are offered small amounts of water from 6 months. This is the typical age where you would begin the weaning process so with their tummies being bigger and getting nutrients from purees and solid food water is considered ok.
Water Intoxication
It may surprise you but when consumed in large quantities water can become extremely dangerous.
The amount of water consumed to deem intoxication depends from person to person so as you can imagine a little baby wouldn’t need a lot for it to be too much.
The kidneys can’t handle too much water and any excess gets expelled into their bloodstream. In turn this dilutes the electrolytes such as sodium making your baby extremely ill.
A condition known as hyponatremia is when the level of toxicity is at its highest. It can lead to significant swelling on your little one’s brain. Worst cases have resulted in death.
Clearly a parents worst nightmare! So to be safe it’s best to avoid offering water to any baby under 6 months and even after this they can only tolerate small amounts.
Treatment
If you suspect water intoxication in your little one because I accidentally gave my newborn water immediate medical attention must be sought. You cannot waste time by thinking you will ‘keep an eye’ on them and you are most definitely not wasting the doctor’s time if it isn’t water intoxication.
If in doubt get them checked IMMEDIATELY.
Once a diagnosis has been reached the doctor will start treatment straight away. This could be in the following forms:
- Stopping all fluids to allow the body to expel excess water through urination.
- Using a saline drip to replace the lost sodium.
Accidents Happen
With all this information around, word of mouth between moms and guidance from your paediatrician it is unlikely that you will go against the advice and allow your baby to drink a full bottle of water. However there are times where ingestion of too much water can go unnoticed.
‣ Swimming
Many swim schools don’t accept babies younger than 6 months for this reason but under direct supervision taking your little one swimming younger can be considered safe.
You need to ensure that whilst swimming your baby doesn’t ingest pool water hence it is always best to follow instruction from a trained swimming instructor.
‣ Making a Feed
Bottle feeding becomes second nature after the first few days but at times you may notice that you have added too much water. Now it may seem harmless but offering an overly diluted bottle can hinder the amount of nutrients your little one has and put their kidneys under pressure.
‣ Bath Time
Bathing your baby can be a lovely bonding time for you both but avoid allowing them to suck sponges and drink the bath water. I know it is disgusting the thought your little one could potentially ingest their dirty bath water but take it from me, my now 8 month old loved the sponge so much I had to stop using it altogether!
‣ Other Relatives
You would never leave your baby with anyone you wouldn’t trust but you need to make it clear to anyone who has to take care of your child that water must never be offered. Older relatives in particular can forget the dangers of water and may need to be reminded.
Personally I tell anyone to withhold water as I like to monitor my babies intake myself.
Tips to Avoid Accidental Water Ingestion
Here are some handy tips to prevent your baby from ingesting too much water.
- Never offer water to a baby under 6 months old.
- From 6 months keep this intake under 8 ounces (ask your paediatrician regarding this as every baby is different)
- Look at ways to indicate hydration levels and if you suspect dehydration then consult your paediatrician.
- Always make formula as directed. If you make a mistake, throw the feed and start again.
- Never leave a baby unattended whilst drinking water.
- Take away sponges during bath time.
- Never leave your child when playing with water.
Remind carers about the dangers of water toxicity.
Following these tips will minimise any accidents that can happen.
When is Water Safe for a Newbie Baby?
As we have discovered 6 months is generally the age where you can begin introducing water to your baby. The amounts they will be able to tolerate at this age will still be minimal.
The amount varies from 0.5 to 1 Cup a day but it would depend on the needs for your child.
Don’t panic if they aren’t interested in water at first, at this point you are showing your baby that their thirst can be quenched with something other than their bottle.
All they know is their milk so don’t be concerned if they are disgusted by it. Use sippy cups or beakers different from their bottle to signal it isn’t their usual bobo.
Wrapping Up
If you ever find yourself saying I accidentally gave my newborn water, firstly don’t panic! Chances are you noticed before they ingested too much. Always seek medical advice and keep an eye if they fall ill in any way.
Water toxicity is extremely dangerous and if left untreated will result in horrific consequences. Be sure to follow the tips for accidental ingestion and ensure that feeds are made with the correct ratio of powder and water.
Mom guilt is the utter worst so knowing that you could have caused them harm can destroy you. Take care and follow procedure if you suspect any indication that your baby has had too much water.
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